Meet Astrid Sims | Filmmaker, Painter, Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Astrid Sims and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Astrid, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I chose a creative career because it has always been a part of me. Growing up in New Orleans, art was all around me. To pursue a creative career was the norm. I was lucky enough to have a family of artists who nurtured that spirit in me, as they were artists too. From a young age, I was put into art classes, acting classes, music lessons, and more. Through these experiences, I was able to discover what truly allowed me to tell my story.

I ultimately decided on film, because it is the medium that lets me fully express myself. With visuals, music, dialogue, lighting, and countless other elements, film draws the audience in. It is an experience that invites people to feel and connect.

I attended an arts conservatory high school, where I studied film, learned the fundamentals, and discovered which roles I loved most. I immediately fell in love with writing and directing. Now, as a senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, I’ve had the privilege of working on film at a higher level.

Spending most of my time in Atlanta has also allowed me to expand my network tenfold and share a bit of the culture that raised me. I felt right at home, coming from another historically Black city that isn’t afraid to show out. Working on different roles across a variety of student projects has helped me develop my skills immensely. This eventually led to my role as writer and director for the student-created docu-series chefATL, which has since premiered on network television and streaming platforms, earning me multiple TV credits before even graduating film school.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a filmmaker—and especially as a Black woman filmmaker—I feel it is essential that we tell our own stories rather than wait for others to tell them for us. That is exactly what I strive to do. I grew up watching movies and TV endlessly, longing to see myself reflected in the characters on screen. It rarely happened, but when it did, it meant everything to me. I want to be that filmmaker for the person who is longing to see themselves represented.

My newest project, <i>Whistle</i>, is my senior capstone film. It’s a supernatural horror short that follows a 14-year-old Black girl who discovers her spiritual gifts while facing a mysterious figure in the woods. The story is deeply inspired by my own childhood summers spent exploring the neighborhood with my older brother, friends, and cousins. I was always the sensitive child, tuned in to the energy around me, and that perspective shaped the way I experienced those adventures. <i>Whistle</i> channels that feeling of being young, curious, aware of things others might miss, and being the only girl in a group of boys where one may feel out of place and dismissed. For me, this project represents the culmination of my growth as a filmmaker, as well as my commitment to telling stories that center Black voices, culture, and a perspectives of girlhood.

As I continue to grow as a filmmaker, I want to stay true to myself and never allow outside powers to stifle my creativity or my voice. I’ve been fortunate to have many creators before me who paved the way, and I intend to do the same when it’s my turn. Each summer, I teach high schoolers film, and it brings me so much joy to witness their growth as artists and young people when they’re given the space to use their voices. My goal is to help amplify their voices while continuing to strengthen and share my own.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, but that’s what it’s all about! I have been privileged enough to be in spaces where I can learn and be mentored by more mature artists. Overcoming those artistic struggles only makes us better. I always think about what my mentor Brandan “BMike” Odums, tells me, “uncomfortably breeds creativity.” This only pushes me further, and reminds me that sometimes you gotta just work through it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of my favorite places to visit in Atlanta is the High Museum! I’ve witnessed exhibits there that brought me to tears, such as Tyler Mitchell ‘s (American photographer and filmmaker) Idyllic Space, known for his tender and innovative portrayals that center Black self-determination and empowerment through scenes of love, leisure, and camaraderie. I am always on the look out for the next exhibit, so that my friends and I can enjoy a nice walk through midtown, visit the High, and maybe end the day with some food and drinks at Colony Square.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shout out my mom, Erin Brazley. She has shaped me into the woman I am today and is hands down, my biggest supporter. She is incredibly strong, smart, talented, and deserves her own spotlight. Without her, I wouldn’t be nearly as far as I am in my blossoming career. From engaging my talents with the proper training as a child, to pushing me to speak to the right people in rooms, to being by my side every step of there way, she does it all.

I also want to give a huge shout out to my community and network, who are constantly pouring into me. I am eternally grateful for the love, support, and guidance. They’ve truly become a second family to me.

I also want to thank my beautiful, incredible, and talented friends. They push me to go further with every moment I spend with them, and they are truly the light of my life.

And lastly, I want to shout out my older brother. Love you, twin.

Website: astridsims.com

Instagram: @astridsims.art @aaaaastriddd @whistle_shortfilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/astrid-sims-785a21261/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aaaaastriddd

Image Credits
Alexa Carmona Jeremy Tauriac Jenna Rose Weisenbach Robby Klein (Getty Images)